December eCommunicator
December 2024
Official e-Newsletter of the Seaman School District
December 2024
An Update from Superintendent Brad Willson
As Seaman School District continues to work toward our mission of preparing every student for lifelong success, one thing becomes clearer every day; the responsibility of educating students cannot rest solely on one group’s shoulders. Whether it’s in the classroom, at home, or in our broader community, we all play a vital role in the growth and success of our students.
At USD 345, we are fortunate to have dedicated teachers, hardworking administrators and support staff, involved parents, and talented students. However, to truly ensure that every graduate leaves our district future-ready, we must deepen our partnerships and create a collaborative culture of support.
With this in mind, I am excited to announce the launch of a new initiative that places the idea of partnership front and center, rooted in the belief that we can only succeed if we work together, listen to one another, and share responsibility.
Over the next few months, I will be holding conversations with four critical groups: parents, teachers and staff, administrators, and students. Each of these groups brings unique insights and perspectives to the table, and their collaboration is essential to achieving our ultimate goal of preparing every student for success in school, career, and life.
I will be asking one central question of each group: What do you need from the other groups to help achieve student success and ensure that our graduates are future-ready?
The feedback we receive will allow us to create a clear and shared understanding of the roles and responsibilities that each group plays, and will help us identify where additional support is needed. This work will lead to a more efficient system and a shared sense of accountability and ownership.
As part of this initiative, I invite you to participate in our conversations, where we will explore how parents, teachers, administrators, and students can work together. We want your voice to be heard as we build a stronger, more unified approach to ensuring the success of every child in our district. Click here to sign up for this conversation on December 11. In order to run an efficient and effective focus group, size will be limited and parents will be randomly selected to participate. Registration will close on Dec 6.
By creating open lines of communication, building accountability, and working collaboratively, we can strengthen our school community and ensure that our students are set up for success in all aspects of their lives.
I look forward to working together with all of our different groups to make a lasting impact on the future of our students.
Important Dates
Dec 2: SHS Modern Band Concert, 7 pm
Dec 3: EL Winter Program
Dec 3: WI PTO Meeting, 5:30 pm
Dec 3: SEBO Concert, 7 pm
Dec 4: NF Winter Program, 6:30 pm
Dec 5: MELC Family Engagement Night - Ornament Night with Santa
Dec 5: NH Winter Program (3rd-6th) 6 pm
Dec 5: WI 5th & 6th Grade Program, 6 pm
Dec 5: SMS Orchestra Concert, 7 pm
Dec 5: SMS Choir Performance at Westridge Mall, 7 pm
Dec 6: MELC - No Preschool
Dec 7: WI Breakfast with Santa, 8:30 am
Dec 7: Dodgeball Tournament
Dec 9: Regular Board Meeting @ SEC, 6 pm
Dec 9: SHS Players Winter Improv Show, 7 pm
Dec 10: MELC PTO & Site Council
Dec 10: LO Site Council, 5 pm
Dec 10: WI Site Council, 5:30 pm
Dec 10: LO PTO, 6 pm
Dec 10: SMS Band Concert, 7 pm
Dec 11: SHS Band Winter Concert, 7 pm
Dec 12: SHS Orchestra Concert, 7 pm
Dec 12: LO Kindergarten Program, 6 pm
Dec 12: LO 1st & 2nd Grade Program, 7 pm
Dec 12: NH Winter Program (K-2nd), 6 pm
Dec 14: SHS Robotics Tournament, 7 pm
Dec 16: SMS Choir Concert, 7 pm
Dec 17: NH PTO Meeting, 6 pm
Dec 17: SHS Choir Concert, 7 pm
Dec 18: SHS Choir Concert, 7 pm
Dec 20: Early Release - End of Second Quarter
Dec 20: MELC - No Preschool
Dec 23: No School - Winter Break
Dec 24: No School - Winter Break
Dec 25: No School - Winter Break
Dec 26: No School - Winter Break
Dec 27: No School - Winter Break
Dec 30: No School - Winter Break
Dec 31: No School - Winter Break
Senior Athletic Passes
Are you a resident in the Seaman School District and over the age of 65? Stop by the Seaman Education Center (901 NY Lyman Rd) to pick up a Senior Athletic Pass. This pass will get you into all home games for free (with the exception of postseason play). This is a lifetime pass with no need to renew.
Thank you for coming out to games and supporting our students!
Living the Dream Student Contest
Many of our students participate in our Local Living the Dream competition through classroom assignments but students can also submit entries on their own with the help of their parents!
Living the Dream, Inc. is sponsoring its annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Art, Essay and Poetry Competitions. In 2025, they are celebrating our 40th year anniversary! The 2025 Theme is "Where Do We Go From Here? Recapturing the Dream."
Art, Essay and Poetry Competition entry forms can be found on their website. Please note the application deadline is December 6, 2024 for all entries to be submitted. Please go to: http://www.ltdtopeka.org. Gift cards and certificates will be presented to all first, second, and third place winners!
We've had some warm weather so far but knowing Kansas weather patterns can change overnight, we wanted to go ahead and share our inclement weather school closing procedures. The following steps will be taken once a decision has been made to close schools or implement a late start, due to inclement weather.
1. If the decision is made to postpone the start of school or cancel school, the Superintendent will immediately notify parents and staff via a voice call.
2. An email and text will go out to all staff and families.
3. After those initial notifications, we will follow our standard notification procedures (news media, social media, websites, etc.).
It is very important to have your contact information up to date and notification preferences are set because you will only receive notification based on your preferences selected. Please contact your school office if you have not been receiving district emails so we can update your contact info.
If school is NOT canceled and remains in session, you will NOT have any notifications from the district. This is to reduce the confusion of adding additional messaging for parents, students, and staff to sort through when searching for the most updated postings. We will alert you if school is canceled, we will not alert you when school is in session.
When school is canceled all campus activities (including community facility use) are canceled for that day and evening. If students have scheduled activities away from school, coaches and sponsors will communicate directly with their teams and activities.
Thank you for taking the time to stay informed on our winter weather processes. Student and staff safety is our top priority as we make school closure decisions.
2024-2025 School Year Calendar
The 2025-26 School Year Calendar is also available. Click here to download next year's calendar.
See Something, Say Something
Our See Something, Say Something reporting tool is anonymous. This form allows you and others to submit safety concerns to district officials. This reporting tool is continuously monitored by district staff. If you would like to receive follow-up correspondence you may leave your contact information. Reporting observed threats, behaviors, actions, and harassment help maintain a safe and secure learning environment for all students and staff.
After you provide as much information as you have about a safety or security concern, here are the next steps the district follows:
1. A district official reviews your information and replies to your tip if contact info is provided.
2. Your tip is forwarded to the proper administration to begin investigation.
3. You are contacted (if contact info is provided) to provide any follow-up info, if needed.
4. Administration follows through with the investigation and any action steps necessary.
Crime Stoppers is another reporting tool available to Shawnee County residents. Crime Stoppers encourages members of the community to assist local law enforcement agencies in the fight against crime by overcoming fear and apathy. They assist local law enforcement agencies by gathering information through the use of online and mobile tools and encourage community members to volunteer vital information that could lead to the battle against crime.
Call the Anonymous Tip Line at (785) 234-0007 or submit information through their Mobile Application. Tips that lead to a felony arrest are eligible for a cash reward.
See Something, Say Something
www.seamanschools.org/report
Crime Stoppers
(785) 234-0007
Join our Team
We have open positions for the 2024-25 school year! Check out www.seamanschools.org/employment or give us a call at 785-575-8602 and we can visit with you about your interests and help you find a spot on our 345 team with paid training and flexible hours.
More District News
Seaman Parents as Teachers
Parents as Teachers is a FREE program offered to anyone in the Seaman School District. It is a voluntary program designed for all families with children ages prenatal to Kindergarten entry. Parents as Teachers (PAT) is based on two important concepts: 1.) Parents are their child's first and most influential teachers and 2.) experiences in the first years of a child's life are key to future success in school and life.
Parents as Teachers offers personal visits, group connections, screenings and a resource network. Call Mathes Early Learning Center at 785-286-7103 and leave a message for Angie or Tina. Also check out our Facebook Page, Seaman Parents as Teachers USD 345.
Visit Seaman Parents as Teachers online for more information.
School Board Meetings
Regular board meetings are scheduled on the second Monday of each month at 6:00 pm. Regular meetings may be adjourned to another time and place when necessary. Special meetings may also be scheduled on an as-needed basis.
Regular meetings typically take place at the Seaman Education Center. When meeting locations change, notice is sent out to the public and made available online. Board agendas go live on the Friday afternoon prior to the regular board meeting.
All regular meetings are streamed live and available on the district's YouTube channel. A recap of the meeting is also made available through the Board Digest.
Regular meetings for the 2024-25 school year:
December 9, 2024
January 13, 2025
February 10, 2025
March 10, 2025
April 14, 2025
May 12, 2025
June 9, 2025
July 14, 2025
Stay Connected with our Digital Flyerboard
Stay up-to-date and informed with events and resources available around the community by checking our digital flyerboard. You can view all flyers for the district or search by school. Digital flyers help us keep you informed and save our community partners resources.
Community organizations can upload their flyers for USD 345 families to receive through email. Click here for more information on how to upload community flyers.
What's for Lunch?
The Seaman Food and Nutrition Services is excited to introduce you to Titan LINQConnect, our new online meal payment portal. Parents can create an account in Titan LINQConnect to submit free and reduced applications, view menus, and pay meal fees.
Titan LINQConnect is replacing the MySchoolBucks system and all balances have been transferred to LINQConnect.
To make meal payments, please create a new account at https://www.linqconnect.com. You can also submit a free and reduced application through LINQConnect for the current school year.
Click on “REGISTER” to create a new account.
You will need the following information to successfully link your student(s) to your account:
1. First Name: As registered with the school
2. Last Name: As registered with the school
3. Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY)
For further questions, please call Seaman Unified School District 345’s Food and Nutrition Services at 785-575-8650 or the contact support line for LINQConnect at 916-467-4700 option two.
Excellence is Earned
Check out our latest employees to be recognized by their peers for their commitment to excellence. Click here to view our entire list of staff going above and beyond for the Seaman School District!